Page 29 of Craving Sin (Touch of Evil 13)

Toklo gestured to his left before realizing that neither of the men was nearby. He stepped outside the group to survey the other side of the truck.

“I don’t know, son. They were here a little while ago. They couldn’t have gone far.”

Bit wasn’t inclined to agree, but he also didn’t want to sound the alarm without some shred of evidence that Kavik and Nanuq had something to hide.

What would either of them have to gain by killing Lusa?

Bit instructed Aputi to go be with his family, hinting that maybe the men had gone to relieve themselves in the woods. While Aputi appeared to accept that excuse, Bit continued his way across the clearing until he reached two of the four federal agents.

“Listen, we might have a problem,” Bit informed them, not missing the way one of the agents scanned him from top to bottom. He wasn’t usually one to take the lead in these types of situations. He had a mirror. He was rather scrawny and didn’t necessarily have a commanding presence, but his mentality had changed in the years working at S&E Investigations. “I need the two of you to fan out. It’s probably nothing, but two of the men who accompanied the Kalluk family have wandered off—Kavik Aningan and Nanuq Kalluk. I need to speak with both of them.”

Bit waited ten minutes before deciding to inform Brook about the current events. During that time, he tried to reach Theo and Sylvie, but neither answered their phones. What could they have possibly discovered at the cabin that prevented them from returning close enough to Silverton to have cell phone reception? It didn’t help that Aputi and the rest of his family realized something was very wrong.

Once Bit had Brook on the satellite radio, he didn’t waste any more time.

“Boss, we have a problem.”

14

Theo Neville

June 2025

Wednesday — 12:22 pm

Theo surveyed the isolated landscape around the cabin one last time. The only access to the remote location was either by hiking or using an ATV. Even then, it required a minimum of two hours on a four-wheeler.

Jacob had gone out of his way to avoid civilization.

The dirt path had been relatively even initially. However, as he and Sylvie ascended higher, the terrain became progressively more hazardous, with flat surfaces turning into steep inclines. The air also became thinner and cooler.

Jacob’s effort wasn’t lost on Theo.

He glanced down at his watch. They had missed their check-in with Bit. It had taken longer than it should have to reach their destination, and they still had to make it down the mountain.

All for nothing.

“Sylvie,” Theo called out, not wanting to waste any more time.

Brook and those in the group should have already found Lusa Kalluk’s remains. Either that, or the search never took place. Judge Colletti might have declared a mistrial, and this entire trip had been for nothing.

Five months of planning down the drain.

“Sylvie, are you about ready? We need to get back to town.”

“Can you come in here for a minute?”

Theo already had the keys to the ATV in his hand. He sighed in frustration that another five minutes was about to be wiped from the clock, but he respected Sylvie’s determination. Still, nothing changed the fact that the only items inside the cabin were a bed, a small nightstand, a round kitchen table, and two chairs. Everything was covered in dust and cobwebs.

Theo closed the distance to the door that hung precariously on rusted hinges. He carefully stepped around it, not bothering to use his flashlight. There was enough daylight streaming inside that he could mind his steps.

“Give me a hand with this bed,” Sylvie requested as she motioned toward the foot of the mattress with her flashlight. Dust motes floated in the beam, causing him to grimace at the thought of inhaling them. “I’ve been thinking about how Jacob hid Stella’s body in 1996. He wrapped her body in a tarp to mask the scent of decomposition, pulled up the floorboards underneath his bed, and stuffed her down inside. What if he did the same with another victim here?”

“Recreating his first kill.” Theo swept his gaze over the rusted metal frame holding a stained mattress and worn spring box. “Can’t argue with that logic. You might be onto something, Sylvie.”

“Admit it,” Sylvie said with a smile as she lowered her flashlight. “You were annoyed when I called you back in here.”

Theo laughed before noting where the bright beam had landed on the floor. She must have moved the nightstand away from the bed to give herself some room. He motioned toward an area of extreme rot in the planks before giving her a warning.

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